The Epcot area resorts are varied, but they have some things in common. I love this area of Walt Disney World, and am looking forward to exploring it with you. In this area are primarily Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas, but we will find a Moderate Resort as well. Epcot’s resorts are: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Villas, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Walt Disney World Swan Resort, and Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort.
Have you noticed the common thread in most of these resorts? All but two of them revolve around water or the beach. We’ll start with our Moderate Resort and move through to the Deluxe Resorts.
Caribbean Beach Resort – This moderate resort is the largest resort on Disney property. Buildings are divided into 5 brightly colored villages representing different parts of the Caribbean – Trinidad, Martinique, Barbados, Aruba, and Jamaica. These villages are arranged around a 45 acre lake. In the middle of this lake, accessible by a bridge, is Caribbean Cay island where there are areas to sit and relax, as well as a children’s play area. The main pool, Fuentes del Morro, is located near Old Port Royale, and has waterfalls, waterslides, and water cannons, as well as a play area for small children. There are 6 other pools, one in each village, so there is never a shortage of places for water play. Other recreational activities include: evening campfires, fishing, bike rental, volleyball, a jogging track, and arcade. Kids 4-12 can set sail on a Pirate Adventure Cruise. The Food Court at Old Port Royale serves up cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and nuggets, smoothies and more, while Shutters at Old Port Royale offers American favorites with a Caribbean twist in its full-service dining room. Pizza delivery to your room is also available. Rooms are available with a King bed, or two Double beds, with views of the lake, pool, courtyard, or woodlands. The extra special offering at this resort is its Pirate themed rooms, with two Double beds, and standard or water view rooms. Beds in pirate rooms are themed to look like Pirate Galleons, with barrels as nightstands. Because this resort is so large and spread out, an internal shuttle service is available to get around. There are 8 bus stops for Disney Transportation System buses to parks. Disney Bus Transportation would be required to visit all of the Epcot area resorts. A bus from Caribbean beach could take guests to Magic Kingdom, where one could get on a bus to any of the other Epcot resorts.
Boardwalk Inn Resort – Our first Deluxe Resort, the Boardwalk Inn takes us back to the Atlantic seaside resorts. This resort is on the shore of Crescent Lake, and very close to Epcot. At night, the Boardwalk glows with lights and music. Carnival games, unique dining experiences, and an exciting night life are available here. The main pool is in an area called Luna Park, and it has a 200 foot water slide themed after a wooden roller coaster. Elephants spray water, and there is a hot tub. Pool noodles and inner tubes can be used in this pool and are available for rent. If working out is on your agenda, Muscles and Bustles Gym has exercise equipment and free weights. Tennis courts, bike rentals, fishing, jogging, an arcade, there’s lots to do here. Boardwalk also has a conference center which includes a ballroom, and several breakout rooms. Shopping along the Boardwalk includes Disney’s Character Carnival, which carries children’s clothing and character merchandise, Thimbles & Threads, with casual wear and swimwear for men and women, Dundy’s Sundries – a gift shop, with souvenirs and necessities, Screen Door General Store – groceries, snacks, and beverages, and Wyland Galleries, an environmental art gallery. Dining is varied as well, with Pizza Window where you can get a slice or a whole pizza, Seashore Sweets with the expected saltwater taffy, fudge, ice cream, shakes, and floats, The BoardWalk Bakery, ESPN Club for sports entertainment, dining, and shopping. Big River Grille & Brewing Company is a family friendly microbrewery and restaurant, and The Flying Fish Cafe serves up fresh seafood and delicious steak. Rooms are available with Standard or Water view with 2 Queen beds and 1 Day bed or 1 King bed and 1 Day bed, or 2 Queen beds, or 1 King bed. Club Level rooms are also available in Standard (2 Queen beds and 1 Day Bed, or 2 Queen beds, or 1 King bed), Deluxe (2 Queen beds and 1 Queen Sleeper Sofa), or Outer Building, Garden Room (1 King bed). Guests canwalk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, or take a boat to either of those parks. Disney Bus Transportation will take guests to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. As boats stop at Beach and Yacht Club and also Swan and Dolphin, this is an easy way to crawl to other Epcot area resorts.
- Boardwalk Villas – These villas share the recreation and dining amenities of the Boardwalk Inn. Rooms are available as Deluxe Studios, 1 Bedroom, or 2 Bedroom. Deluxe Studios have a Queen bed and a Double size Sleeper Sofa. They have a kitchenette which includes a sink, microwave, coffee maker and toaster. 1 Bedrooms have 1 King bed and 1 Queen size Sleeper Sofa. They have a full kitchen and a stacked washer/dryer. 2 Bedrooms may consist of a 1 Bedroom and a Deluxe Studio with a door open between them. They have 1 King Bed, 1 Queen bed, 1 Queen size Sleeper Sofa, and 1 Double size Sleeper Sofa. They also have a full kitchen and stacked washer/dryer.
I would love to help you make some plans and get the best value on your next magical Walt Disney World vacation. My services as an Independent Travel Agent with World of Magic Travel Services (the preferred travel agency of Chip and Co.) are always free, and I can make planning your vacation a pleasant experience for you as I take care of all of the tedious parts. Contact me for a free price quote and for more information at jeri@worldofmagictravel.com.
Beach Club Resort – With the casual elegance of a New England Resort hotel around the turn of the century, Disney’s Beach Club has beautiful architecture and landscaping along Crescent Lake. Movies Under the Stars, nighttime campfires, boat and bike rentals, fishing, tennis, volleyball, jogging, and activities for children – ages 0-9 at the indoor Sandcastle Club, and ages 4-12 on the Pirate’s Adventure Cruise will keep guests active. 3 acre Stormalong Bay pool, or 3 other quiet pools are also available. The favorite dining locations here are Beaches and Cream Soda Shop – home of the original Kitchen Sink sundae – but also serves burgers and other soda shop favorites, and Cape May Cafe, where there is a beach party character breakfast featuring Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale. But The Yachtsman Steakhouse serves up seafood, steaks and more. Rooms at Beach Club are available with Standard, Garden, or Lagoon/Pool View, and have 2 Queen beds and 1 Day bed, or 1 Queen bed and 1 Twin size Sleeper Chair and 1 Day bed, or 2 Queen beds, or 1 King Bed, or 1 King bed and 1 Day bed. Club Level rooms are Standard View – 2 Queen beds and 1 Day bed, or 2 Queen beds, or 1 Queen and 1 Twin size Sleeper Chair and 1 Day bed, or 1 King bed. Garden View – 1 King bed, or 2 Queen beds, or 2 Queen beds and 1 Day bed. Lagoon/Pool View – 2 Queen beds and 1 Day bed, or 1 Queen bed and 1 Twin size Sleeper Chair, or 2 Queen beds, or 1 King bed. 1 Bedroom Suite – 1 King bed and 1 Day bed. 2 Bedroom Suite – 2 Queen beds, 1 King bed, and 1 Day bed. Deluxe Room – 2 Queen beds and 1 Day bed. Guests can walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, or take a boat to either of those parks. Disney Bus Transportation will take guests to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. As boats stop at Boardwalk and also Swan and Dolphin, this is an easy way to crawl to other Epcot area resorts.
- Beach Club Villas – These villas share the recreation and dining amenities of the Beach Club. Rooms are available as Deluxe Studios, 1 Bedroom, or 2 Bedroom. Deluxe Studios have a Queen bed and a Double size Sleeper Sofa. They have a kitchenette which includes a sink, microwave, coffee maker and toaster. 1 Bedrooms have 1 King bed and 1 Queen size Sleeper Sofa. They have a full kitchen and a stacked washer/dryer. 2 Bedrooms may consist of a 1 Bedroom and a Deluxe Studio with a door open between them. They have 1 King Bed, 1 Queen bed, and 2 Queen size Sleeper Sofas. They also have a full kitchen and stacked washer/dryer.
Yacht Club Resort – This Deluxe Resort is joined to the Beach Club Resort, though it is more formal. The two resorts share Recreation and Dining options. Rooms at Yacht Club are available with Standard, Garden, or Lagoon/Pool View, and have 2 Queen beds and 1 Day bed, or 1 Queen bed and 1 Twin size Sleeper Chair and 1 Day bed, or 2 Queen beds, or 1 King Bed, or 1 King bed and 1 Day bed. Club Level rooms are Standard View – 2 Queen beds and 1 Day bed, or 2 Queen beds, or 1 Queen and 1 Twin size Sleeper Chair and 1 Day bed, or 1 King bed. Garden View – 1 King bed, or 2 Queen beds, or 2 Queen beds and 1 Day bed. Lagoon/Pool View – 2 Queen beds and 1 Day bed, or 2 Queen beds, or 1 King bed. 2 Bedroom Suite – 2 King beds Deluxe Room – 2 Queen beds. Guests can walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, or take a boat to either of those parks. Disney Bus Transportation will take guests to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. As boats stop at Boardwalk and also Swan and Dolphin, this is an easy way to crawl to other Epcot area resorts.
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel – This very modern, yet whimsically styled deluxe resort has clamshell fountains and twin swan sculptures atop its twelve story main building. The Swan also has two seven story wings. 5 pools include the 3-acre grotto, 2 lap pools and 1 spring pool. Other recreational options include the Swan Health Club, jogging, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and an arcade. Kids aged 4 – 12 are welcome at Camp Dolphin, or ca play on the playground near the grotto pool. Quick service dining at Splash Grill, casual, buffet dining at Garden Grove, or fine dining with traditional Italian fare at Il Mulino are just some of the dining options. The guest rooms have either 2 Queen beds or 1 King bed. Some rooms have balconies with views of neighboring resorts, pool, grounds, Crescent Lake, or Epcot. Guests can walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, or take a boat to either of those parks. Disney Bus Transportation will take guests to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. As boats stop at Beach and Yacht Club and also Boardwalk, this is an easy way to crawl to other Epcot area resorts.
Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel – The sister hotel to the Swan, the Dolphin has a twenty-seven story main building and four nine story wings. Two large Dolphin fountains adorn the roof. Pools and other recreational amenities are shared with the Swan. Dining includes Todd English’s bluezoo restaurant, and Don Shula’s Steakhouse as fine dining options, but casual dining and quick service options are available as well. Guest rooms have 2 Double beds, or 2 Queen beds, and 1 Roll Away bed. Some rooms have balconies with views of neighboring resorts, pool, grounds, Crescent Lake, or Epcot. Guests can walk to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, or take a boat to either of those parks. Disney Bus Transportation will take guests to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom. As boats stop at Beach and Yacht Club and also Boardwalk, this is an easy way to crawl to other Epcot area resorts.
All of the Deluxe Resorts in the Epcot area offer: free parking, valet parking at an extra cost, complimentary local newspaper, ATM, valet laundry and cleaning service, express check-out, voice mail, and free wi-fi.
Villas have room amenities that vary, but in general all villa Deluxe Studios have at least a mini fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. Larger Villas have full kitchens, and some Villas have in-room laundry facilities.
Transportation: Crescent Lake and boat launches make getting around to most of these resorts easy. The exception is Caribbean Beach, which does not connect easily with any of the other resorts. An easier step than taking a bus to Magic Kingdom might be to take a bus from Caribbean Beach to Downtown Disney and then find a bus to one of the other Epcot area resorts, which would allow you to walk or take a boat to all of the others.
This should help you to know a little more about each of the Epcot Area Resorts. And, if you’re interested in visiting all of them, I hope this will help you to navigate transportation, as well as know a little bit about what to explore at each resort.
Are any of these your very favorite? How about on your bucket list? This is one of the easier crawls with the boats making everything peaceful. I hope you’ll try it and tell us all about it!
I’m Jeri, and I’m a Disney Addict! I’m also an Independent Travel Agent with World of Magic Travel Services, the preferred travel agency of Chip and Co. and Disney Addicts. I am always happy to offer my free services to you to help make your next vacation a little more magical! Contact me for a free quote at jeri@worldofmagictravel.com.
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FYI…. the rooms at the Caribbean Beach resort are being refurbished and they are replacing the full size beds with Queen Beds. Some rooms will also have a pull down twin bed, so many of the rooms will now sleep 5.